Wedding Photography for Beginners – Vol. 6

Wedding Photography for Beginners – Vol. 6

Welcome to Volume 6 of a series that I’m calling: Wedding Photography for Beginners! In the next few weeks, I’ll be taking you through a number of important topics and giving you insider’s tips and tricks. My goal is to make your transition into professional wedding photography as easy as possible. There will be 8 articles in total that will discuss everything from attracting new clients…to revealing the best kept secrets for capturing breathtaking bridal shots. Did you miss Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, or Vol. 5? Let’s get you caught up! Interested in reading all the articles but don’t have time to check the blog? Subscribe to The Presetpro Weekly Newsletter and get all 8 articles PLUS Free Lightroom Presets sent to your inbox every Tuesday! 

Here are 6 tips to improve your portraits. 

1. Practice makes perfect!

If you want the bride and groom to look relaxed and natural on the day of the wedding, try treating the engagement shoot like a practice run. Some couples will be fantastic at posing, but the reality is that most will feel terribly uncomfortable and awkward in front of the camera at first. It helps to get this out of the way before the big day. I suggest that you have a quick discussion with them before you start the engagement photos. Pick 4 or 5 poses that they can learn and practice and call on them to take those positions during the big day. They will feel comfortable, and you will get natural looking images.

2. Inspiration Photos

Just like with wedding party shots, collaborating with the couple and creating an inspiration board of photos (on Pinterest, etc.) will ensure that you’re all on the same page. I suggest grouping the images together and taking a screen shot with your phone. If you get stuck, you can always pull out your phone and use the photos as a reference.

3. The White Dress Dilemma

The light meter in your camera will likely think that the white wedding dress is too bright and will compensate for this with a darker exposure. This gives the dress a dull, grey tone. I know what you’re thinking: “Shouldn’t cameras be more advanced by now?” Sadly, they’re not and you’ll need to take a few test shots and use positive exposure compensation to fix the problem.

4. Switch up that lens!

For every pose, remember to capture the shot from different angles using a variety of apertures. If you have a second shooter, make sure they use a different lens. If you’re shooting on your own, bring (or rent) a second body so that you can switch it up. After every pose do a mental check and ask yourself: “Do I have all the angles that I want for this shot?”

5. Attention to Details

What separates a good photographer from a great photographer is their attention to detail. You may be tempted to get through the portraits quickly and only snap the usual shots. The truth is, the more details that you throw in, the more well rounded and interesting your work will be. Rings, hands and the bouquets are always a safe bet. Try thinking on your feet and see what other details you can capture.  

6. Singles

With everything that goes on during the wedding, it can be easy to forget to capture a few single shots. Set aside a few minutes at the end of the portrait session to capture a few of photos of the bride and groom on their own. Pay extra attention to the bride if you have enough time to spare. You may just land that perfect bridal portrait for your portfolio. 

Remember, every professional wedding photographer started out exactly where you are right now. You can do this! With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to producing beautiful portraits in no time! Don’t miss Vol. 7 next week on the blog where I will share everything that you need to know about the reception. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week! 

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